Rangers transfer news: Source close to Fashion Sakala responds to £4m Saudi exit report
Suggestions that Fashion Sakala could be about to leave Rangers for Saudi Arabia are “just rumour”, a source close to him has reportedly told Derek Clark.
The Zambian forward has emerged as the latest in the first-team at Ibrox who could depart as Michael Beale looks to thin out his squad, after bringing in a host of new signings this summer, with Antonio Colak already gone to Parma.
The 4th Official suggested in a 13 July post on Patreon that “discussions were well under way” for a £4million exit to the Middle East off the back of Colak’s sale, but someone close to the 26-year-old has now denied that is the case.
Speaking on the Rangers Review morning briefing on Monday (17 July, 9m) Clark said: “Just on Sakala, of course he was linked with a move to Saudi Arabia last week. A source close to him did tell me it was just rumour and there was nothing concrete with regards to Fashion.”
Clark added his own view of the situation, saying: “I’m perfectly happy if Fashion Sakala’s part of the squad next season, unless Rangers do get an offer that is attractive, I’m thinking £4m plus.”
Movement
Clark’s perspective is likely shared by plenty of Gers supporters this summer, as the prevailing view of the free transfer arrival from two seasons ago is that his output is decent, but it could be so much better.
When he is on form there isn’t really a side in Scotland who can live with him, but even in matches where he ends up proving the difference he often will go a whole half without managing to get it right.
He’s scored or assisted 39 times in his spell at Ibrox so far which is pretty good going from his 91 appearances, but if he could nail down his consistency it would perhaps be far higher.
It may just be that the unpredictable nature of his play dictates he will blow hot and cold, and the manager has made him more involved since taking over from Giovanni van Bronckhorst so clearly values his contributions.
But there are few in Beale’s squad who are completely untouchable if the right money is put on the table, and with the investment drive emanating out of the Saudi Pro League it is difficult to rule it out.
Whether there is fire behind the smoke of the Saudi report, or whether he makes an exit to another destination before the window closes, will become clear over the coming days and weeks.
But it appears his camp may be looking to dampen down the suggestion unless or until there is anything “concrete” to it.
In other Rangers news, a BBC pundit has slammed the confirmed business at Ibrox as nervy and mistake-prone.